Friday, December 28, 2012

Originally I thought that I could do without a hand cream from the latest Etude House Missing U, I Can Fly series as I have an unnumbered amount of hand creams decorating my bedside table. Well, my resistance was for naught when I read the article below:

We always cook up excuses after buying the latest products but this time around, knowing that a part of the profit will be allocated to the UNEP Korean Commission justifies the purchase. I only wish that the percentage of the profit donated is revealed?

The Eastern Grass Owl's plight is voiced by SHINee's Onew in the commercial film. He is not favourite member by far and the jar pales in comparison with the others. So why did I choose it?

The texture feels like a solidified cream yet once it leaves the pot, it melts into my hands. It spreads easily. More is better in regards to this hand cream. Using a little product is insufficient to meet my needs.

With - Without

This cream has pretty good staying power. It lasts throughout the night without having to reapply. It helps my hands bounce back from daily wear and tear leaving them smooth and soft to touch. I also started using it on my elbows and knees.

The only downside besides the scent, is the slight film of oil left but after a while it eventually sinks in. I bought two other variations because I like Eastern Grass Owl even though it pales in comparison to the marvel that is L'Occitane's Cherry Blossom Hand Cream (smells awful though).

In addition, they were on sale for US$ 3.90 shipped each so, I would be doing myself a disservice if I passed up!

Friday, December 21, 2012

The Linden Leaves brand was born in New Zealand and with it, products made from the highest quality ingredients and this includes air-dried, natural Pacific Ocean sea salt and 23kt gold flakes.

Linden Leaves has long been favoured when it comes to body care products especially the Aromatherapy Synergy Body Oils and now they have expanded their repertoire with facial care.

The new range has twelve products, and I will review Essential Facial Moisturiser with Calendula and Comfrey in this entry and what I consider to be the star product in an upcoming post. Please stay tuned for that!

The perfect balancing act for all skin types! This daily moisturiser has an extremely clean and non greasy texture which feels light on the skin and yet offers an intense moisturising effect.

Formulated with nature's aid to hydrate, balance and protect the skin from everyday environmental stresses for a fresh, youthful appearance. Suitable for all skin types. (Source: theskintopic.com.my/)

Calendula oil (gentle skin nourishment), comfrey extract (skin nutrition and cell regeneration) and neroli essential oil (brightens and improves skin elasticity) are some of the key ingredients for Essential Facial Moisturiser. The result is a product that is a pleasure to the senses. Sensitive noses need not worry, the smell is not at all overpowering and will only linger on for a while.

The 50 ml bottle will last a few months even when used twice a day.

The formula runs towards the creamy side and is easy to blend as long as you use one pump. In spite of the slightly thick consistency, it absorbed easily into the skin after some slight massaging. It bears some resemblance to a sunscreen due it leaving a slight whitish cast on my skin (due to the white coloured cream).

It works a treat at keeping my skin hydrated, soft and supple. It is also not greasy so it is good for daytime use. Plus, so far, my skin has not protested or reacted to the essential oil components.

Before.

After.

However, as I age, I tend to gravitate towards a richer moisturiser for nighttime use. A little extra boost (something that firms the skin while increasing elasticity and smoothing fine lines) is needed and this moisturiser lacks that.

I would recommend it for daytime use, to people with lesser woes than myself or for younger skin to keep it looking at its best.

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

This year, Dolce & Gabbana gives their all time best sellers a stunning new look and a new scent. It is all about going back to the roots - traditional shapes, pattern and fabrics; back to passion, back to true Sicilian values. Before I start with the review of Pour Femme, let's get behind the scenes on the sizzling campaign masterminded by Mario Testino... I hope you enjoy!

I consider Light Blue Dreaming In Portofino as one of my favourite scents, and I am delighted to add Pour Femme to my collection. If I compared Light Blue Dreaming In Portofino to a cool crisp day in spring, Pour Femme would be a blazing hot day in the height of summer.

The fragrance opens with delicate hints of neroli, raspberry and green mandarin. They are then wrapped up in a bouquet of floral fancies consisting of jasmine and orange blossom. The finishing touches come from guimauve, vanilla, heliotrope and sandalwood, which gives the perfume a sweet yet sensual scent.

It starts off strong but the scent mellows down and then fades. Very quickly. My only gripe is that it lacks longevity for an Eau de Parfum as it needs refreshing every few hours.

This fragrance is not what I reach for on an everyday basis. I prefer to save it for occasional evenings out *teehee*

It is available in three different sizes - 25 ml for RM 216, 50 ml for RM 305 and 100 ml for RM 383 - and is accompanied by a body lotion (RM 143 for 200 ml) and a shower gel (RM 135 for 200 ml).

Saturday, December 15, 2012

Gmarket, how I love you! I managed to scrounge up some warm weather fashion picks thanks to a few sellers that have yet to obliterate them from their listings. Winter has arrived in many countries yet it is still warm as a pie fresh out of the oven in Southeast Asia.

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

I came to know about Essence's annual Winter Edition hand creams last year and have been hankering for a trio ever since.

Thanks to Hana, I finally got to experience the joy of owning a set of these limited edition hand creams. They made quite a journey before reaching my doorstep as Hana hails all the way from Czech Republic.

Do you prefer hot chocolate, chai latte or punch? With the new essence trend edition "24h Hand Protection Balm – Hot Winter Drinks", the cold winter months are sure to turn into a real pampering experience in October until December 2012. Softly fragranced combinations of aromatic hot drinks and wintertime delicacies such as caramel, gingerbread and cinnamon create the flair of cozy coffee shop visits. (Source: essence.eu/)

To start with, the creams sink in quickly despite the thick consistency. My hands feel moisturised and slightly softer to the touch for an hour or so. I had the impression that they do not provide enough moisture, and I was right. The constant reapplication relegates them to day hand cream category.

Personally, I prefer to use hand creams before bed, but they are not emollient enough for that (I wore them to sleep and I woke up with my hands feeling really parched).

The properties of the creams are about the same. The most notable difference is of course in the aroma. All three scents fill the room right off the bat. With the right scent, it would be heavenly but if I were forced to drown in a foul fragrance with no end in sight, I can't imagine what drastic measures I would take.

ღ Apple Cinnamon Punch
The more I smell it, the better it gets. At first, it was downright awful with a capital 'A' but once I got used to it, it brought up memories of a scented candle that I used to light. I can't recall the brand or the name now...

The full ingredient list for Apple Cinnamon Punch:

ღ Caramel Hot Chocolate
It has a sweet chocolate scent but falls short when compared to the perfection that is last year's Raspberry Chocolate Cookie.

The full ingredient list for Caramel Hot Chocolate:

ღ Gingerbread Chai Latte
This scent is a blend of spices and a hint of tea. Out of the bunch, it smells most like the warm glow of Christmas.

The full ingredient list for Gingerbread Chai Latte:

There are so many better performing hand creams in the market so I can't recommend them. Will this curb my longing for next year's Winter Edition hand creams? No. Haha!

The lipstick has a lot of little details that you come to expect from designer brands that have made a foray into beauty products.

The iconic Burberry check pattern etched onto the lipstick bullet and the tube is very sleek. The self-aligning magnetic closure provides a satisfying click sound when I slip the lid back on.

It has a nice heft that I usually associate with high end products. However, I find it to be unnecessarily clunky and don't even get me started on the reflective gunmetal grey casing. Here is how it compares to another fingerprint magnet, Lunasol Full Glamour Lips S, which is also ensconced in a square tube.

Yes, despite all the complains, the packaging is indeed très chic!

Sepia Pink is rosy toned mauve taupe. It looks unremarkable when swatched but I promise that you will love it on your lips. I would imagine it being flattering on both fair and tanned skintones.

It looks very natural on my pigmented lips which brings the term my lips but better in beauty blogging lingo to mind.

It feels very moisturising on and glides easily with a lot of slip. It even works well on lipbalm free lips. Colour payoff is pretty decent with two swipes yielding considerable coverage.

Since it is so creamy and all, it doesn't resist eating or drinking. You will certainly need to touch-up afterwards. On its own, it will last an hour or two maximum before wearing off.

Do I need more Lip Covers? Beyond a doubt, yes! I tend to favour glossy and moisturising formulas and this lipstick definitely fits the bill. And once I factor in the pleasing aesthetics... it is really a no-brainer.